Aussie may be joining your ranks.... if im lucky

[The_Kman]

G'day everyone, stumbled on this forum by chance, after i stumbled onto something else by chance, a Rover 75.

Was not really in the market for a new car, but walked past a used prestige car dealership and spotted something unusual, and very eye catching, the Rover. Kept on walking, and figured that moment would soon fade into the section of my brain i file things of insignificance.

But to my suprise, it did not. I found myself looking up pics of these cars, doing some reading, and looking at prices. I think i need to have one.

After i realised that (some 2.5 weeks after first sighting, well first that registered, because ive seen a couple since) i walked back into that dealership with a pocket full of cash.

Sorry buddy, Been SOLD!!

Damn it!! But now im hunting for one. I liked the idea of buying from the dealer, as he offered 3 year unlimited km warranty. Bit scared of buying privately, as i know if she breaks, she is going to drain my wallet quick considering they are not common in Australia.

So anything i should look for? Know faulty, problems with the car? Im looking at 2001-2003 probably, and all the ones ive seen are 2.5L. I think i read in the 1.8L there was engine issues, correct? How about the 2.5L?

At 120,000km on the clock, what are the questions i should be asking the owners, and what information should i pass on to a mechanic because i would want a comprehensive pre sale inspection to take place.

Great forum, read alot here over the past few weeks, hopefully i find what im after and become a contributing member.

Cheers

[GreyGhost]

Hi Adam
Welcome to the club.
2.5 V6. Main things to look out for are failed VIS actuators and inlet manifold. Forum is littered with references. Other than that same as any other car. Give it a good going over. 2.5 is a very reliable machine. The 1.8 do suffer head gasket issues but not down to the engine, rather the minuscule cooling system and a failure in that area causing engine overheating. That said if well looked after they are also very reliable. Not even sure the 1.8 was exported to OZ
We have quite a few members in the land of OZ who will be able to point you at parts suppliers. Suppliers here will ship if necessary. The 75 was quite popular there. You'll probably start tripping over these cars now that you have noticed them.
Best of luck in your quest.

[The_Kman]

Now sorry if this sounds like a foolish question (im not a car guy, but willing to learn) but will a run of the mill Joe Regular mechanic know how to check for failed VIS actuators and inlet manifold?

Also i know other key buzz words when buying a car are "timing belt", "major service" etc. Now correct me if im wrong, but replacing a timing belt is a big job or atleast generally expensive is it not? and should be completed around the 100,000 - 130,000km mark?

As i have my eye on a very nice Black 2001 Connoisseur with 120,000 on the clock, the only problem is i would be buying from across the other side of Australia. Could fly over to inspect it, and get a vehicle inspection with report done, but want to avoid buying something that will need money dumped into it immediately because i failed to ask the right questions.

Thanks for you help so far, and now i have more targeted areas to read up on.

First additions will be wood and leather gear knob, steering wheel, and wooden handbrake handle.

Focused on finding one and turning it into the best example in Oz.

[GreyGhost]

Checking VIZ actuators and inlet manifold couldn't be simpler with directions from this forum. Manifestation is loud ticking from either of the two actuators and if unlucky the inlet manifold. Replacement is one of the easiest jobs
Cambelts on V6 3 in number. essentially changed at 6 years or 90K miles. UK price around £700.00 including parts.
I understand there is a club in melbourne, tune into them and get some tips on general maintenance.

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=26980

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...archid=2273924


This from another forum.

http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=270472

KV6 Cambelt change Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/user/kv6coupe.../0/2fFx8SPiTSc

[James.uk]

Why not find a diesel Conny? The diesel is very reliable and much more economic on long journeys..
...

[StevieB]

Hey Kman

As you're in Melbourne, there's some great places that can advise you to contact - I went through this a year ago myself!

I contacted Zagames in Melbourne, who were a MGRover dealer here, and they were incredibly helpful. They'll tell you what to look out for.

Timing belts should be done every 6 years or 100,000kms whichever comes first. If they haven't been done - it can be expensive as there's three belts apparently. Ensure it's been strongly maintained and this has been done before you touch it.

Although they can be serviced every 25000kms - no oil will last that far - so ensure its been consistantly serviced and oil changed every 10,000 as any other car.

Electrics can be another problem, so test everything including the airbag light isn't on at all, and the rear licence plate lights connections are a regular bugbear from things Ive heard from others too. (I've got that issue myself)

I've got a great mechanic and the services are not at all expensive. Parts are pretty easily purchased as they're imported and supplied from Sydney.

I haven't come across any Diesel 75's here in OZ.

They're awesome and I LOVE my ZT and I can tell you're sold on a 75!

If I can help any more - let me know!

[Roger1]

Welcome Kman from a trans tasman cousin. Don't hestitate. I bought a 2000 model some years back (2 litre V6) and loved it so much I ended up with 3 75's. Now have a 2.5 V6 and a V8. It's a great feeling driving these cars, added to by the fact that there are so few on the road that people still stare at them! Friends with BMW's give me stick over mine, until they got to drive them. Different story now. The BMW's just seem so boring.

However, that's all personal opinion. I have not found parts to be a problem, and whenever I have needed help I've found it in this club.

All the best mate.

[The_Kman]

Got a Raven Black 2001 Connie, its a great car.

Question, are service items like oil filters, spark plugs, leads, brake pads etc etc interchangable with more common cars on the road here? That is, will i be able to get these parts at a reasonable price here, or should i be planning ahead and building a reserve?

Need to get a road worthy done on it this week, should be fine, just getting a licence plate light error, and doesnt seem to be the globe, so guess i best start tracing back, maybe there has been some corrosion or someone has snipped/pinched a wire somewhere. Hopefully its something simple.

There was some slight discolouration on bonnet and roof, but a very light cut and polish seems to have cleaned that up alot better than i thought it would.

Only other issues are cosmetic - broken and missing clips, cup holder doesnt pop out, light doesnt work on passenger side sunvisor. Things that should be fairly simple to solve. Thanks to this forum and members who are willing to help me out with these fairly obscure part requests



Already putting my own touch on it. Have got a walnut gear stick, handbrake (scratched it while installing so ordered another) and have a steering wheel on the way. Plus the Headunit that is getting discussed alot on here. Could not be more happy with the car at this stage.

Can any Melbournians recommend a mechanic with T4 i can get a full service and general check over of the car done, who might be able to give me a heads up on things to watch and look out for? Egremont, may i ask where you get yours serviced?

Hope to be able to pop down to the Rover meet next week in Melbourne, not sure how ill be doing for time, but i would love to come get some inspiration and see some great cars

[derekosb]

Originally Posted by The_Kman

Got a Raven Black 2001 Connie, its a great car.

Need to get a road worthy done on it this week, should be fine, just getting a licence plate light error, and doesnt seem to be the globe, so guess i best start tracing back, maybe there has been some corrosion or someone has snipped/pinched a wire somewhere. Hopefully its something simple.

Hi Kman and well done on getting your vehicle. You have obviously been patient.

Try scraping any visible corrosion off the lamp holder in the licence plate light. They are a common problem. Sometimes a clean with an abrasive will remove the surface rust which prevents the electrical circuit from completing.

Derek

[egremont]

Well done The Kman!
I bet you had an exciting time driving the 1,000 kms plus back from Newcastle - with frequent comparison to your former set of wheels.
Remember, no one ever regretted buying quality.
If you don't already have a PayPal account, you must get one. Sadly the price of some landed parts can be as little as 40% of the Oz retail price.

I use Zagames Autos to service my car - they have (so I am told) the latest 2009 updates for their T4 diagnostics.

Our local club, the Rover Car Club of Australia Inc. will hold their next meeting this coming Friday - 14th. May. Our club caters for all models, and has a membership of 240. We have a number of Rover 75 in the club and some MG ZT's. Should anyone else be in the vicinity of Hawthorn on Friday, they will be most welcome to attend.

The guest speaker at our forthcoming meeting will talk about his experiences on a Lancaster bomber during WWII.

The club is organizing a club run of the following Sunday, 16th. May. You would be most welcome to join in if you are interested, but numbers are required asap for the caterers.

Incidentally, to the best of my knowledge, MG Rover Australia only imported the 2.5 litre KV6 models. I did hear from the visiting Kiwis attending our National Rove 2010 that some of their 75's are powered by the smaller engines.

I look forward to catching up with you, hopefully that will be soon.
Meanwhile, I wish you all the best.
Regards,

egremont